Rare TommyKaira ZZ Triggers Intense Bidding Frenzy Among Fans, But The Dealer Declined | Carscoops

      This is probably one of fewer than five TommyKaira ZZs currently in America.

      7 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      This heavily modified, rare JDM sports car recently went unsold at auction.

      This was despite a bid increase of more than 50 percent in the last 20 minutes.

      The dealer seemingly wants nearly double what bidders were prepared to pay.

      The TommyKaira ZZ is not a vehicle that frequently appears for sale, and it’s estimated that fewer than five are in the United States at this moment. Its rarity contributed to the surge in bidding during the final moments of its recent auction. Even with a last-minute rush and a 50-percent increase in the highest bid within just 20 minutes, the dealer ultimately declined the sale.

      For those who may be unfamiliar, the TommyKaira ZZ can be likened to a Lotus but lacks the luxury features. Though it may sound odd, consider this: the ZZ boasts a custom aluminum chassis, steel subframes, basic unequal-length wishbone suspension at each corner, and a straightforward four-cylinder engine. It was lightweight, fast, and had a striking design for its era.

      In fact, these characteristics made it a standout in the Gran Turismo video game series. Most enthusiasts in the USA who are aware of this car were likely introduced to it through the game. Perhaps the attendance of several fans at this Cars&Bids auction contributed to the bidding frenzy in the last twenty minutes. Before that time frame, the highest bid for this modified ZZ was merely $13,000.

      Then, just before the auction concluded, 23 additional bids came in, raising the final price to $20,250. It did not reach the dealer’s reserve price. “Sorry, far off on this one,” stated the selling dealer at the auction’s conclusion. Undoubtedly, some modifications may have affected its overall value.

      The previous owner altered the front end to incorporate headlights from a Toyota Celica and made changes to the engine cover as well. They did this last modification because they removed the carbureted 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and replaced it with a 2.2-liter SR20DET engine from Nissan. The seller did not provide documentation about the current power output, but it likely exceeds the original 178 hp (133 kW).

      That said, the saying "never buy another man’s project car" likely applies here. The dealer noted that it had previously sold a different ZZ for $40,250, which was much more original. What do you think is a fair price for this exceptionally rare sports car? Let us know in the comments below!